"Auld Acquaintances" [Michelle]

[Bright]

Numb.

Win couldn't describe the feeling any other way. If someone cut him with a knife, he wouldn't feel it. Standing in front of his father's grave, staring at the casket, it was too surreal. Too strange. Yet familiar all the same. Memories of himself as a young child at his mother's funeral surface in his mind, and he blinks, as if he could blink away the memory. Blink away time. Blink it all away.

"Jewish tradition is for each member of the family and attendee of the funeral ceremony to shovel a bit of dirt into the open grave with the shovel upside down. It symbolizes how hard it is for us to let go, but how we will, eventually." droned on the serviceman.

He didn't invite Sam. He told her, but he didn't invite her. He knew it would be too difficult for them, together. Win could face it better alone. She understood completely.

"Warren? Would you like to go first?"

This cut through Win's haze like a knife. Silently, Win took the shovel and stood in front of the pile waiting for him next to his father's grave, the casket below. Warren stared down at the box, his father inside there, seven feet of nothing and darkness and eighteen inches of mahogany between them. Letting go, my balls. Win thought. You can't just shovel some goddamn dirt into a hole and expect that leting go will come, because it won't. It doesn't. Never in the history of the world has it worked that way.

He set his jaw again and leaned forward, flipping the shovel over and pushing it into the pile of dirt. Warren let out a small grunt as the weight pushed down on his arms, and hefted the dirt into the abyss, and winced slightly when it hit the wood. Enangered, he threw the shovel down into the dirt and walked down the hill to a field, which led to cliffs overloing the ocean. These cliffs and Warren had become much aquainted over time, since they greeted him everytime he went to visit his mother's grave. And they would be there when he died, too.

Hopefully.

He rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand, not to wipe tears, but to try to evade slipping into sleepy depression. He had to keep on track away from that for Sam. And maybe only Sam.

"Warren."

He turned, his eyes falling on two people walking towards him, one tall and husky, the other thin and pretty. Jacob Laincaster and Amy Jane Rae. He knew them both from his father's occupation as the Mask.

"We need to talk." Jacob said.

Pausing slightly, Win put one hand in his pocket and the other massaged his jaw. "I don't see how there's anything to-"

"Kid-" Jacob tried.

"Let me finish!"Win shouted. "Your team basically killed my father, the least you could do is let me talk!"

Jacob edged towards the smaller man swiftly, his eyes darkened. "I am the last person you want to mess with, kid."

To his surprise, Warren stood his ground.

"I should be saying that to you."

[Michelle]

Amy hurriedly fixed her cuffs on the sleeve, throwing a quick glance at the clock. Jacob and her had a mission, one she wasn't too comfortable with speaking of the circumstances, but the Team did need him. It was hard to find meta-humans now a days, and some weren't using their powers for good. Remembering of the unfortunate situation, they were recruited Win at his own father's funeral. John was once a Team member, and a friend to her as well. Respectively, she was dressed in a long black coat, with a inky skirt that stopped above the knees. One inch heels and a long dark scarf also accompanied her outfit. Sighing, Amy Jane checked herself once more in the mirror, making sure she was approachable looking. At the moment, she had no idea how she would try and persuade Win, she'd have to check his mental and emotional state first. With that thought in mind, she headed out towards the burial grounds.

---

Rae walked along by Jacob, he red curls bouncing along with every step. Something pinched at her that this wasn't the right time, that it wasn't going to end well. Her brow furrowed in concentration. She thought it was maybe a side effect from all the pain she could feel bouncing off the grounds. Even without psychological skill, anyone could feel the negative waves bouncing off the attendants. Asking in a small voice, she looked up at Jacob, "Are we doing the right thing?" Her voice was doubtful, and couldn't stand the fact she was bothering him to join the Team. Amy Jane questioned the antics, of why it had to be now they would ask Warren.

---

The hero asked someone where they could find Warren, and a lady pointed towards down hill, over viewing the body of water. Amy nodded her thanks, and made way towards the young man. He seemed lost in thought, staring out in to the water. At the slight chill of the sea breeze, she huddled a bit deeper in to the warmth of her scarf. Jacob announced his name, as the ginger saw the youngest face towards him.

With chin in hand, he tried to shoo them away, but she knew Jacob wouldn't deal with that. Hardly surprised at Jacob's attempt, she kept quiet, observing, analyzing.

What did surprise her was Win's out burst, with followed with a tiny jump from Amy.

"Your team basically killed my father, the least you could do is let me talk!"

Amy bit back a protest, to justify that they didn't kill John. Mask knew he would be putting his life in danger, he knew that from the start. But like he asked, she didn't make a single peep. She spoke with her eyes though. Wide, hurt, and pleading, her eyes spoke more words than her lips could. Amy Jane empathized him; so young, yet so broken. It was devastating to lose a loved one, she knew that from experience. She clutched tighter to the rose she brought for the fallen hero, planning on giving it to him after they talk to Warren.

Jacob shifted tensely a bit. He all but nearly growled at smaller one. "I am the last person you want to mess with, kid."

"Jacob." She warned in a clear voice. The threat was quick and sharp; polished but deadly. If he attempted anything, she would use her powers on Lanister. But not yet...she gave him a chance before. If she was to use her powers, it would have to be Jacob anyway. Warren's mind was too unstable to venture in to, and digging through his head might make him even more upset. Jacob though, as long as he was calm, she could keep him from doing anything stupid.

Her attention turned back to Win, and her eye brow arched at his words. He was sticking up for himself, and an odd sensation of pride and admiration ran through her. Amy Jane knew the boy since John joined the Team, and it took guts standing up to Jacob. A smile quirked at the corner of her lips, but she quickly dismissed it before it was noticed.

"Boys, please. We did not come here to use our fists. Warren," her stare shifted towards him, "Like we said, we just came to talk. Before cutting us off, you don't even know what we could be talking about. Keep an open mind, just hear us out, please?" her tone turned sweeter while talking to him, her voice light. Hopefully, Win would let them at least tell him why they were here.

---

Notes: "Boys, please, we did not come here to use our fists." Amy snapped her fingers together, and the three were magically on top of a couches for each of them. "We're here to talk about our feelings."[/color] The redhead snapped once more, a journal and pen poofing in to her hand. "So, who wants to go first?" [/i]
Word Count: 767
Song: "Fix You" by Coldplay

[Bright]

"Are we doing the right thing?"

Jacob glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, frowning slightly.

"It's a little late for moral compasses, don't you think, Amy J?" he quipped, making sure he didn't trip over any stray rocks on their way towards the cliffs. "Watch your step,"



"Jacob."

The word was short and scornful, not pointed at him. Win didn't flinch or move a muscle at all. He cut his eyes at her, noticing the small smile on her lips that disppeared as he caught it.

"Boys, please. We did not come here to use our fists. Warren," she insisted, her voice lighter, kinder to him. Win took a deep breath and clenched his fists tighter, still not moving. "Like we said, we just came to talk. Before cutting us off, you don't even know what we could be talking about. Keep an open mind, just hear us out, please?"

Warren turned his neck and looked at her, his eyes icy, a mix of anger and despair. "I know what you're here for. And you have to understand." he said. "Your team took both of my parents from me," He pointed his finger to the left. "and my sister." He flicked his finger to the right. "There's no way I'm leaving her behind. Not again."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Jesus christ, kid, do you even know what the team does? It fights. Criminals." He said, enunciating carefully. "We don't do the killing, we do the paralyzing of criminal acts, and we do it because we all believe in good. Your father was a brave man, and he died protecting the things that he loved." Jacob glanced at Amy Jane out of the corner of his eye. Does he even know about Sam?

Win bit the inside of his mouth, his cheek muscles flexing themselves on the outside of his skin. He didn't say anything.

"Okay," Jacob sighed. "Look, we didn't come here to bully you into doing anything. But there is an invitation for you to join the Team. Take your father's place, live the legacy of Mask."

Silent, Win shook his head.

Jacob reset his footing frustratedly, and turned, rubbing the back of his head with one hand, the other in his pocket. He nudged Amy Jane with his arm.

"He likes you better. Go ahead."

Win glanced at her expectingly.

[Michelle]

"-protecting the things that he loved."

She nodded along with what Jacob was saying, all very true, but that last bit gave her an idea. Hopefully, it would work. With the way Warren was acting though, it might be hard to crack the defensive shell he was buried in. Amy Jane could tell that both men were growing agitated with each other, and was grateful when Jacob let her take the lead.

"Warren, don't you want to be like your father; to protect the ones you love? What about Sam?" she insisted, "The best way you could protect her is protecting the streets she lives on. Making sure no criminal could harm her. She needs you more than ever, Win. And not just you. I know there is a hero inside you, and she needs that too. You'd make an amazing hero; you're smart and powerful, and I know your detective skills are top notch. At least give it a try. Just one time, and we'll leave you alone about this topic the rest of your life. We swear."

Amy pleaded in a sweet tone, though she knew what she said would cause impact. She carefully worded her plead, knowing that Sam was in fact Maskette. Of course, she could take care of herself, but there was truth in there. She had lost her father, leaving her in no condition to do some crime fighting. Rae also knew Warren didn't know about Sam's double life, and that she was grateful for. He was going to find out soon. You can't hide everything from a detective, they'll find out sooner or later. But that wasn't the problem at the time, and she worried about the one on hands. Also, if the time came where they really needed Win even if he didn't join, they would come after them. The Team would, just not her and Jacob.

But if he really did not want to take his father's place, there was nothing they could do. She would not manipulate him in to doing anything he doesn't want to do. They did have Sam, but she was so young, she didn't even know how powerful she is. But Amy Jane did her best with Win. Using Samantha was something she though she didn't have to do, but he was stubborn. She wished that it would encourage him, not make him even more frustrated.

---

Notes: 50 shades of Bruce and Selina
Word Count: 400
Song: "Sell Out" Reel Big Fish

[Bright]

Win just looked at Amy Jane as she talked, his eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't mean to fall into a monolauge, but as she finished, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. The ocean air chilled them, even in the last few days of summer, and Win had never been one to stay uncomfortable for too long. He stared out at the ocean, blinking constantly to keep his eyes from becoming irritated.

"My world was sweeped out from under me when my mom died," Warren said, his voice strained slightly. The memories were almost painless now, but there was still a slow process of forgetting. "Sam, not as much. But she was little, she didn't even know mom. But me.." He stifiled a cough, and rubbed his hand over his mouth, staring at the rocks below, thinking quietly. But really, how could anyone think loudly?

"...it's not easy. It never is. Even more so when you're used to things, you know?" He said. He turned back to them, his mouth slightly parted. "..I've spent most of my life hating you guys, hating the Team."

Jacob, his arms folded over his chest, snorted. "Thanks."

"In good measure," Win fired back. "what is a kid to do when his mom dies?"

Considering the circumstances, Jacob shrugged and made an indifferent face. "Get over it, probably."

Win glowered at him. "Not when you're six."

[Michelle]

It went in to a silence after she was done with her speech. The air was cold, but she had a feeling it was not only due to the breeze. Amy Jane shifted her weight as Warren turned towards the water. Thankfully, he was calmer, but for how long?

The ginger listened carefully to his words, justifying his right. Sympathy and empathy smacked her right in the chest, knowing of course it was difficult for him when his mother passed on. And at such a young age, no one deserved that. She waited patiently as he took a pause, recovering himself. She's seen this plenty of time with students, with herself too. Before admitting something that's hard for them, they muster up as much strength and willpower they can. She was so use to the action, she didn't even try to prompt him, knowing he would manage to get out what he was trying to say.

Amy Jane furrowed her brow. "...it's not easy. It never is." Well of course it never was. If it was easy to handle death, you'd be a psychopath. The psychologist noted to herself on a rather snarky thought. "At least he's not a deranged psychopath."

At the mention of him hating the team, she couldn't help but voice her opinion. "Warren, that's not fair-"

But he quickly retaliated. His point was valid and understood, but as come of age he shouldn't have hated the team. They were the good guys, they would never kill anyone on purpose. Anyways, they had a strict no-killing rule.

"Get over it, probably."

Amy Jane eye's widened in shock and frustration at Jacob. The look was similar to that of an owl's; neck strung out and large unsettling eyes. That was certainly not going to help with what the two were sent to do. Plus it's more than hard to overcome death. Especially a death of a mother, and so young. The woman looked in to Win's eyes. "We know you're hurt and upset. We know-well," she shot a short glance at Jacob from the corner of her eye "I know- for certain that it's troubling to deal with loss." her words were laced with concern and sincerity. "But, we did not kill your mother. That man killed your mother. It was not your father's fault either. You need to stop blaming them and forgive them. Just," she let out a small sigh. Getting through this boy was more tough than she thought. "If you have any questions, or if you're willing to give it a shot, call me, okay?"

There was nothing they could do if he was dead set on not joining. Maybe in time, when he finds out about Sam, or after they gave him some time to think. Amy Jane took a different approach now, making sure if the idea settled and nagged in his head for a while he'll cave in. They'll just have to wait and see.

---

Notes: #still freaking out about the Olympics Opening Ceremony closing act kthanksbai
Word Count: 492
Song: "The A-Team" By Ed Sheeran

[Bright]

Win nodded slightly, his jaw set, his eyes at the ground.

Jacob leaned to one side, trying to see the shorter man's face. "How's your job, kid?" he asked.

He already knew the answer to this question, but he just wanted to her it come out of Warren's mouth, not someone else's. He could barely supress a small smile, he felt very sly.

Surprised, Win's head shot up, his eyes wide. "What?" he asked.

With a slight, annoyed sigh, Jacob repeated himself. "I said, how is your JOB?" he was like.

Win clenched his teeth, knowing that he was being lead straight to a trap, sort of. He looked up at Jacob, who raised his eyebrows in response. Blinking, Win looked back over the ocean and then at his two visitors again. "I left my job." he said. "One of them, at least. At the police station."

Jacob widened his mouth and eyes in a mocked surprise reaction, barely able to contain his laughter at his own horrible acting. "That is brand new information!" he said, a bit too loudly, so that the funeral attendees turned around, alarmed. Win glanced at them and quickly back at Jacob.

"Now, please, explain to me how you're supposing that you're going to care for a kid, and yourself, with half a job?" Jacob asked, gesturing.

Win ground his teeth and set his jaw. "I would find some way to handle it."

[Michelle]

Amy Jane smiled slightly at the small talk that passed between the two men. Both were settled, and at ease with each other. Feeling comfortable to leave, Amy silently slipped off. Stepping in the short line, she looked at the rose she hand plucked from her garden. She removed the thorns, a slight prickly fuzz covered the stem. Though the casket was already feet under the Earth's soil, she placed her rose along with the others. Turning back towards Win, a smile fluttered on her lips. "You did good John, you did good." a single tear escaped before she wiped it away.

While returning towards the two, Jacob's mouth was fit to an "O" shape, and started a commotion that had the funeral attendees turning their heads. "Now, please, explain to me how you're supposing that you're going to care for a kid, and yourself, with half a job?" while the shorter of them three returned, the sentence had Amy J's eyebrow raising. She wasn't informed that Win only had half a job. Win seemed to be annoyed at the fact, and reassured them he could find a way.

It took the redhead a few seconds before she caught Jacob's rift. She shot him a wry smile before replacing it with her killer Amy Jane smile. The one that produced 1,000 watts of energy. "Win!" she squealed, before clasping her hands together. "You can work as an intern for me at Austinlin Public High! You have skill in the psychology field, don't you?" she tilted her head slightly at her question. All in all Amy Jane thought it would be great for the young man; he'd get paid a fair amount of money, and he would also get to keep an eye out for his darling little sister.

Also, she wouldn't be lying if she was intrigued in the young man. He was a kind man, she knew that, but he set up way too many barriers. "It'd be fun~! What do you say? Wanna try it out?" Plus, she's been looking for an intern. Yes, she has been a teacher for only a year, but APHS was a big school, and the more help the better. It did get quite lonely at work, and how wonderful did it sound to work with such a well-rounded man such as Win. Again, she placed her famous smile, as though it would help seal the deal.

---

Notes: Amy youre such a sap omg
Word Count: 403
Song: NONE

[Bright]

At Amy's burst, Win hesitated slightly, already surprised by the idea. Counsellor? he'd never considered the career choice. Heck, he couldn't even remember if the thought ever even shadowed on his mind. Ever. Probably not.

"I don't know if I'm qualified for that job, exactly." he answered at last.

Jacob let out a snort.

Win turned to him, annoyed. "I'm sorry." he raised his arms slightly. "I do not ever think that I have ever found a reason to like you, honestly. So, share with me, your snort reasoning here." He stood closer to Jacob, his eyes dark with annoyance.

Jacob folded his arms over his chest and raised his chin slightly, his eyes brimming with amusement. The shorter man scowled at him, but Jacob shrugged the hostility away. "Really, I think that you're making excuses, for everything." he answered, which Win looked even more vexed at the mention of. "Excuses?" Warren chuckled dryly, the laugh free of any real mirth. "I don-"

"Now listen to me, my confused little friend." Jacob pushed him back a few steps. "We are friends, aren't we?"

"N-"
"Whatever. What I'm trying to say is, you can't just turn down all of our offers. This one," Jacob bobbed his head slightly. "makes sense, Warren, sense." He stood with his weight on his back foot, turned slightly towards the funeral. "You don't have a stable job. We're offering you one. One you'd be stupid to turn down."

Win bit his lip, glanced away, stalling slightly.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Whatever. What a fucking waste of time."

"I'll do it, okay? Jesus christ,"

"Great," Jacob mused, stepping towards Win with mock friendliness. "you should get some new clothes, a new attitude, and maybe stop gelling your hair that way. It looks like you're wearing a hat and you're bald, but the hat's made of hair."